Putter with interchangeable faceplate system

ABSTRACT

A golf putting club includes an elongated shaft having a gripped first end, and a putter head attached to the second end. A faceplate is removably secured onto the front end of the putter head. The faceplate is constructed from a material that is tuned to generate a specific note when striking a golf ball. A sound gap for generating and increasing a volume associated with the note the faceplate makes when striking the golf ball is located between the back surface of the faceplate and the front wall of the putter head. The putter includes a plurality of different removable faceplates each being pre-tuned to generate a different specific note when striking a golf ball.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/800,091 filed on Feb. 1, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly to a golf club having an interchangeable faceplate for creating different sounds when striking a golf ball.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

The game of golf is one of the most widely played sports activities in the world. Golf courses typically include either 9 or 18 holes, each comprising a teeing ground, a fairway area, one or more roughs (and other hazards), as well as a putting green where the hole is located.

Once the golf ball is on the green, a specialized golf club called a putter is used by the golfer. Putters are designed to strike a golf ball in a manner that keeps the ball on the ground, thereby ensuring greater accuracy. In this regard, it is believed by many golfers that the sound a putter makes when striking the golf ball is directly related to the feel of the club. More specifically, the higher the tone of the sound, the softer the putter feels to the golfer. For this reason, manufacturers create putters with clubheads of different materials so as to create a wide range of sounds to attract golfers having a wide range of preferences.

Although these putters are suitable for their intended purpose, they are not able to adapt to the changing preferences of a user as he or she progresses through various levels of play. Moreover, if a user desires to hear a different tone when using their putter, they currently have no choice but to purchase an entirely new club.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a putter with interchangeable faceplate so as to allow a user to change the sound a single putter makes when striking a golf ball at any time so as to eliminate the drawbacks described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a golf putting club that includes an elongated shaft having a gripped first end, and a putter head attached to the second end.

One embodiment of the present invention can include a faceplate that is removably secured onto the front end of the putter head. The faceplate can be constructed from a plurality of different materials and can include different shapes and sizes. The faceplate can also include functionality for generating a specific note when striking a golf ball.

Another embodiment of the present invention can include a sound gap for generating and increasing a volume associated with the note the faceplate makes when striking the golf ball. The sound gab can be located between the back surface of the faceplate and the front wall of the putter head.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include a plurality of different removable faceplates, each configured to engage the putter head, and each being pre-tuned to generate a specific note when striking a golf ball.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the putter with interchangeable faceplate system that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air putter head, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a removable faceplate, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembled putter with interchangeable faceplate, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

As described herein, the term “removably secured” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated. This can be accomplished through the use of any number of commercially available connectors such as opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro®), attractively-oriented magnetic elements, screws and receptacles, tethers, buckles and compression fittings such as hooks, snaps and buttons, for example. Each illustrated connector and complementary connector can be permanently secured to the illustrated portion of the device via a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example.

Moreover, the term “permanently secured” shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a manner so as to prevent the same objects from being separated. Several nonlimiting examples include various adhesives such as glue or resin, and welds, for example.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of a putter with interchangeable faceplate system 10 that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the putter system 10 can include, essentially, an elongated golf shaft 11, a putter head 20, and a plurality of interchangeable faceplates 30.

In various embodiments, the shaft 11 can comprise an elongated, generally tubular member having a putter grip 12 along the top end and a hosel 13 along the bottom end. The shaft and hosel can be constructed from any number of different materials such as metal or graphite, for example. The shaft can be permanently or removably secured to the hosel 13 which may be formed as an integral component of the below described putter head.

As shown best at FIG. 2, one embodiment of the putter head 20 can include a front wall 21, a back side 22, a top end 23, a bottom end/sole 24 a heel 25, a toe 26 that define a middle body section. As shown, the front wall 21 can be recessed a distance D1 relative to the leading edge of the top, bottom, heel and toe walls so as to maintain the below described sound gap. The putter head can be constructed from any number of different materials such as aluminum, steel, copper, plastic, or composites, for example, and can be secured to the shaft 11 via the hosel 13 in accordance with known construction methodologies.

In one embodiment, a plurality of connectors 27 a such as the illustrated threaded receptacles, for example, can be disposed along or within the front wall 21 of the putter head. To this end, the connectors can be positioned flush with the front wall 21 or can be placed within indentions 28 located along either side of the front wall. In either instance, the connectors 27 a can function to receive complementary connectors 27 b, such as the illustrated screws having a flat-front surface, for example, so as to secure the below described faceplate(s) 30 onto the putter head.

Although illustrated with regard to a generally rectangular-shaped body having the hosel adjacent to the heel, and two connectors, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, the putter head 20 can include any number of different shapes and sizes, can include any number of different connectors, and can be joined to the putter shaft via a hosel that is positioned anywhere along the putter head.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an interchangeable faceplate 30 for use with the putter system. As shown, each faceplate 30 can include a planar front facing surface 31, a back facing surface 32, a top end 33, a bottom end 34 and a pair of side ends 35 and 36. The faceplate 30 will include a shape and size that is complementary to the shape and size of the front end of the putter head 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the back facing surface can include a pair of protrusions 38 each having a complementary location and shape as the recessed area 28 on the putter head. Additionally, a pair of tapered apertures 37 can be positioned along the faceplate at locations identical to the location of the connectors 27 a.

In one embodiment, each of the interchangeable faceplates 30 can include any number of different impressions/grinds 39 along the front facing surface where contact with a golf ball is to be made. Likewise, each of the faceplates can include a different construction material that is specifically chosen to create a different audible sound/note when making contact with the golf ball.

In the preferred embodiment, one or more of the faceplates can be constructed from metals such as titanium, copper phosphor bronze, tin phosphor bronze, manganese bronze, beryllium copper, high carbon steel, stainless steel, brass, and aluminum, for example.

In various embodiments, each of these faceplates can be tuned at a time of manufacture so as to make a specific sound/note (e.g., A, C, D or E, for example) when making contact with a golf ball. This can be accomplished through known manufacturing techniques by adjusting the shape or thickness of the faceplate so as to also adjust the below described sound gap. As such, faceplates can be provided with a physical marking denoting the sound the faceplate will make during game play.

Although described above as using faceplates from specific materials to achieve the noted outcomes, the invention is not to be construed as limiting to these materials, as other embodiments are contemplated wherein one or more of the faceplates are manufactured from any number of other materials specifically chosen to achieve a particular sound, pitch and/or volume.

As shown best at FIG. 4, when the faceplate 30 is positioned onto the putter head 20, protrusions 38 will be in direct and uniform communication with the indentations 28 of the putter head, and the top, bottom and heel and toe walls of the faceplate will be in communication with the leading edge of the top, bottom, heel and toe walls of the putter.

When so positioned, the front surface 31 of the faceplate will be flush with the leading edges of the putter. Additionally, because the thickness of the faceplate (e.g., the distance between front end 31 and back end 32) is approximately ½ the recessed distance D1 described above, the back end 32 of the faceplate will not be in direct contact with the front wall 21. This separation distance creates a gap 40 that functions to magnify sound (i.e., sound gap).

Additionally, when so positioned, the apertures 37 will be aligned with the threaded receptacles 27 a and the screws 27 b can engage the receptacles through the aperture. When secured, the flat front surface of the screw will be flush with the front facing surface of the faceplate so as to ensure a golfer can strike a golf ball using the entire front surface of the faceplate.

Although described and illustrated with respect to protrusions and recessed areas at specific locations, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, the faceplate and putter head can include any number of different shapes, protrusions, recessions and/or openings, for example, in complementary shapes and orientations to each other so as to allow the faceplate 30 to be securely positioned onto the putter head 20. In various embodiments, one or more of the faceplates can include different thicknesses which may or may not ultimately be flush with the putter as described above.

In creating a putter that can utilize a variety of different faceplates that are each constructed from a different type and/or thickness of metal, the system advantageously allows users to change the “ping” sound created from striking a golf ball across a wide range of different sound pitches, tones and decibel levels.

Accordingly, the above described system provides a novel device for allowing a user to quickly and easily change the sound and feel of their putter via the interchangeable faceplates in a manner that is not rendered obvious by the known art.

As described herein, one or more elements of the putter system 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the terms “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A golf putting club, comprising: an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end; a putter head that is secured along the second end of the elongated shaft; and a faceplate that is removably secured onto a front end of the putter head.
 2. The club of claim 1, wherein the faceplate includes functionality for making a specific note when striking a golf ball.
 3. The club of claim 1, further comprising: a second faceplate that is configured to be removably secured onto the front end of the putter head, said second faceplate including functionality for making a different specific note when striking a golf ball.
 4. The club of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of removable faceplates that are each configured to be secured onto the front end of the putter head, each of the plurality of removable faceplates including functionality for making a different specific note when striking a golf ball.
 5. The club of claim 1, wherein the faceplate is tuned to generate a specific note when striking a golf ball.
 6. The club of claim 1, further comprising: a second faceplate that is configured to be removably secured onto the front end of the putter head, said second faceplate being tuned to generate a specific note when striking a golf ball.
 7. The club of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of removable faceplates that are each configured to be secured onto the front end of the putter head, each of the plurality of removable faceplates being tuned to generate a different specific note when striking a golf ball.
 8. The club of claim 7, wherein the plurality of removable faceplates are constructed from an assortment of different materials comprising titanium, copper phosphor bronze, tin phosphor bronze, manganese bronze, beryllium copper, high carbon steel, stainless steel, brass, and aluminum.
 9. A golf putter head, comprising: a main body having a top end, a bottom end, a back end and a front end; a hosel that is secured along the top end of the main body; and a faceplate that is removably secured onto a front end of the putter head, wherein the faceplate is tuned to generate a specific note when striking a golf ball.
 10. The putter head of claim 9, further comprising: a second faceplate that is configured to be removably secured onto the front end of the main body, said second faceplate including functionality for making a different specific note when striking the golf ball.
 11. The putter head of claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of removable faceplates that are each configured to be secured onto the front end of the main body, each of the plurality of removable faceplates including functionality for making a different specific note when striking the golf ball. 